CPC disciplinarians vow penalties for excessive spending

The disciplinary arm of the Communist Party of China (CPC) issued a communique on Wednesday, vowing severe penalties for lavish banquets and tours fueled by public funds amid continued pressure against corruption.

CPC members should "be frugal and shun extravagance and waste," said a communique released after the plenary meeting of the CPC's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) held from Monday to Tuesday.

Authorities should strictly manage the construction of office buildings and reception venues for CPC or government organs, as well as standardize the use of vehicles and officials' overseas trips, it added.

The CCDI will also supervise officials at various levels in order to eliminate ostentatious and bureaucratic meetings and reports, it added.

The CCDI will faithfully carry out bureaucracy and formalism-fighting guidelines introduced at a Dec. 4 meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, the communique said.

The commission will set down rules to ensure the proper use of the guidelines and punish violators, the communique said, adding that tips from the public will be handled earnestly.

Party members should "work hard on improving their work style, stay in close touch with the people and resolutely curb hedonism and extravagance," the document said.

Anti-corruption efforts at the local level will be intensified so as to prevent corruption-related problems that affect the public, it said.

The CCDI will implement a mechanism requiring officials to report their personal affairs, as well as conduct checks to verify important information, according to the communique.

The Party will continue its high pressure on corruption this year, stressing both punishment and prevention, it said.